When manufacturers are developing a new product, one of the most important things to consider is what materials will the components be made from.



Selecting the best material is a critical step in the development of a product and this selection process will determine the quality of the final product. Strength, durability, malleability and many other factors are considered when a material is being selected and each depending on the field and application of the final product, each of these factors holds a significant importance. There is one material that is making the selection process much easier for manufacturers in a wide range of industries. This material is known as PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone).

But what is it about this unique material that is changing the manufacturing industry?

PEEK was invented in the UK in 1978 and received a US patent in 1982. The processing conditions implemented to mold the material influence its crystallinity, or structure, and this results in the superb mechanical and chemical resistance properties of PEEK. PEEK is also highly resistant to degradation under high temperatures and resilient in organic and aqueous conditions. Some of the major fields where this dynamic plastic material have been most effective are aerospace, the medical space, food & beverage and also the manufacture of PEEK plastic bearings. PEEK is optimal in aerospace due to its light-weight, chemical inertness and inexpensive characteristics. Light-weight materials reduce the overall load of a vessel and, thus, reduce fuel costs and helps preserve the environment. Because PEEK is a chemically inert, the material is stable in extreme conditions and can withstand exposure to atmospheric particles. Its resistance to extreme temperatures and low moisture absorption properties also make it a preferred choice for the medical industries. The high-temperature resistance of PEEK makes it a favourable option in the production of powders and other ingredients in the food & beverage industry.

One field that has some of the most diverse applications of PEEK is the manufacturing of components and PEEK bearings are one of the most effective components to come from PEEK manufacturing. The function of a ball bearing is to reduce rotational friction between 2 moving mechanical elements. PEEK makes an ideal material for bearings for many reasons. PEEK bearings are self lubricating once they begin to move. Abrasion causes microscopic bits to function as lubrication with inconsequential alteration to the bearings themselves. The durability and high-temperature resistance of PEEK bearings allows them to be thinner and lighter than traditional material bearings. Their light-weight characteristics make them more fuel efficient and they don’t require as many additional chemical additives, that aluminium or steel require. PEEK bearings also require little maintenance and can run for long periods of time without freezing during operation. These components are simple and convenient to replace when necessary. The chemical resistance of PEEK bearings makes them resistant to damage incurred by metal bearings. All these attributes make PEEK bearings an exceptional mechanical component for endless number of products and functions.

LG is also implementing this revolutionary PEEK bearing technology in their new VRF Multi V 5 air conditioning system. The bearings that drive LG’s own scroll system are the same PEEK bearings that are used in aerospace applications. The next-generation technology allows components to run longer without additional lubrication and makes LG’s ground breaking Multi V 5 even more durable and reliable.